If you regularly store fresh food and frozen food in one appliance, start by looking at fridge-freezers and how their compartments are arranged. A table-top fridge is a better choice when space is the priority and your storage needs are limited. A one-door fridge prioritises fresh food, while a multi-door model is suited to larger storage needs and a kitchen layout that can accommodate it. Whatever you choose, check the dimensions, then compare the capacities, kWh/year and noise levels of models that suit your needs.
If limited width, height or depth narrows your options, compare the size of a table-top fridge, a one-door fridge and a compact fridge-freezer. Measure the route the appliance will take during delivery, too, as well as the space needed to open the doors.
If you store fresh food, prepared meals and frozen food, check how many litres are allocated to each compartment. The total capacity alone won’t tell you whether there’s enough room for the food you buy.
A multi-door fridge is worth considering if your shopping really does call for more space and separate compartments. Whether it’s right for you also depends on the space in your kitchen and whether it can be brought into your home.
First, measure the space and access routes. Then choose a balance of fridge and freezer space that suits your shopping. The European energy label lets you compare the capacities, annual energy consumption and noise emissions of the models you’re considering.
Worth considering: for a studio flat, or when a compact footprint matters more than storage capacity.
Trade-off: the limited capacity leaves less room for a large shop; check whether the model has a freezer compartment.
Worth considering: if you mainly store fresh food and have another solution for frozen food, or are happy with a small freezer compartment, depending on the model.
Trade-off: a one-door fridge doesn’t necessarily include a freezer with enough capacity for your shopping.
Worth considering: if you need one appliance to store fresh and frozen food regularly.
Trade-off: the amount of space given to the freezer varies by model; check the available height, too.
Worth considering: if a large family shop calls for a high capacity and several storage zones.
Trade-off: its size means you’ll need to check your kitchen and the entire delivery route. Compare its annual energy consumption, too.
| Consideration | What to check | Relevant to |
|---|---|---|
| Space and access | Appliance dimensions and any alcove; door clearance and delivery route. | In a small kitchen or a home that’s difficult to access, I need to make sure the appliance can be installed before looking for extra capacity. Around 27% of consumers would put this constraint first. |
| Balance of fridge and freezer space | Capacity in litres for each compartment, and the layout of shelves and drawers. | For my regular shopping, I want enough room for fresh food without running short of space for frozen food. This balance would be the priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Family storage | Freezer capacity and compartment layout, bearing in mind the space the appliance needs. | When my household does a large shop, my main concern is finding room for groceries and frozen food. Around 27% of consumers would put this capacity first. |
| Noise and energy consumption | kWh/year and dB(A) on the label, comparing appliances with similar configurations and capacities. | In an open-plan kitchen, I pay particular attention to the noise from an appliance that runs continuously, as well as its energy consumption. Around 13% of consumers would put these two aspects first. |
Two appliances with a similar total capacity can offer very different amounts of space for fresh and frozen food. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L as a general starting point for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person.
Compare the capacity of each compartment separately, and adjust this guide to suit the size of your household, how often you shop and how much frozen food you buy.
An appliance might fit in the space you’ve chosen but not through a doorway or along a corridor. Samsung specifically advises allowing for the packaged dimensions of its RF24BB620EB1EF multi-door model.
Measure the access routes and final location, then check the packaged dimensions, door clearance and delivery arrangements before you order.
Size and features also affect the energy consumption of a fridge that runs continuously, as ADEME points out. The energy rating letter on its own doesn’t replace comparing the features that matter to you.
Compare kWh/year, capacities and dB(A) across models that meet similar needs, then decide whether you’ll make use of any extra features.
In France, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a consumer, according to the Ministry of the Economy. It is separate from an optional commercial guarantee.
Before choosing a commercial guarantee, check what it adds to your legal rights, including its terms, exclusions and the services it covers.
These models show different formats you could look at; their features are not representative of every model from their brand.
The freestanding KGN33NLEB fridge-freezer is an example of an appliance combining refrigeration and freezing in a stated width of 600 mm.
The RF24BB620EB1EF is an example of a multi-door model to consider when your household needs plenty of storage space.
The range includes freestanding and built-in fridge-freezers, combining fresh and frozen storage without moving up to a multi-door model.
These Joybuy fridge-freezers and multi-door fridges offer two ways to keep fresh and frozen food in one main appliance. Choose based on the space available and the compartment layout you need.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to store fresh and frozen food in a fridge-freezer. Its stated total capacity is 390 L; check the capacity of each compartment and the available height before choosing.
Image unavailable
Worth considering for larger shops if your kitchen can accommodate a four-door appliance. The title lists a capacity of 467 L and Total No Frost; check the dimensions and door clearance.
Image unavailable
Worth comparing for larger family shops if a multi-door model suits your home. Its stated total capacity is 495 L; confirm the space allocated to each compartment and the clearance needed for installation.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you need fresh and frozen food compartments in a fridge-freezer. The title lists a capacity of 316 L and Double No Frost; compare the capacity of each compartment and check the installation dimensions.
Image unavailable
Worth considering for a kitchen where you need a more compact fridge-freezer. The title specifies a height of 150 cm, a 4-star freezer, a reversible door and 39 dB. Low Frost doesn’t mean you won’t need to defrost it manually.
Anses recommends keeping the coldest part of the fridge between 0 °C and +4 °C. Check the temperature regularly, using a thermometer if the appliance doesn’t have a suitable display.
For the fridges covered, the European label shows information including the A to G rating, kWh/year, compartment capacities and noise emissions. Compare these details across appliances with a layout and capacity that suit your needs. The QR code links to detailed information about the model in EPREL.
Under the French Ministry for the Ecological Transition’s guidance, the ‘one-for-one’ take-back scheme covers an old appliance of the same type when you buy a new one. Check with the seller how to arrange collection, particularly if your order is being delivered to your home.
In France, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity protects consumers who buy new, second-hand or refurbished goods from a trader, according to the Ministry of the Economy. It can cover an appliance that doesn’t match its description, for example; a commercial guarantee does not replace this right.